"When we go through recessions and people lose their jobs or are
offered buyouts, many decide it's their impetus to launch their
own company," says entrepreneur and business coach Daniel C. Steenerson. "But just because
you can start a business doesn't mean you should."

Before you take the leap, Steenerson suggests taking an honest
inventory of your skill set. He offers these ten clues that
you're not cut out to launch a
business :

1. You can't stand the heat.
Before you jump into self-employment, Steenerson says you need to
be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

"Every day you'll need to try something new for the first time,"
he says. "Growth happens at edge of comfort zone. If you're
unwilling to go there, you may not be cut out for being an
entrepreneur."

2. You're on the quest for quick cash.
While profit is the result of successful business, it shouldn't
be why you are in business, says Steenerson, who in 1997 launched
Disability Insurance Services, a provider
of disability insurance products, to fill a gap in the
marketplace.

"You start a business to solve problems and serve others," he
says. "If you do that the cash will follow, but it can take
time."

3. You have professional ADD.
Starting a business isn't about chasing the latest shiny thing;
it's about picking a dream and staying with it even when times
get tough.

"Being an entrepreneur requires unwavering laser focus," says
Steenerson. "If you don't have patience and are unwilling to push
through the tough times, launching a business might not be for
you."

4. You get stage fright.
As an entrepreneur you wear many hats, and spokesperson is one.
If you shy away from public speaking, overcome this issue by
joining a group like Toastmasters or by hiring a spokesperson for
your company.

"Opportunities don't always come to us in a scheduled manner,
however. And entrepreneurs will need to be the front man from
time to time," says Steenerson. "If you're uncomfortable with
self promotion, it can be problematic."

5. You hate roller coasters.
When you're an entrepreneur, there are no flat surfaces. "One day
you're tackling a steep hill and the next you're on a
gut-wrenching free fall," says Steenerson. "You need to be
prepared to hang on and enjoy the ride."

8. You're easily winded.
Launching a business is like running a marathon. At the start,
adrenalin keeps you going, but 15 miles in, you can hit the wall.
Entrepreneurs are willing to push through the portion of the
journey called the "middle mile" - the place where challenge and
drudgery happen.

"Your feet will hurt and your breathing will be labored," says
Steenerson. "Despite these inconveniences, you must place one
foot in front of the other and press on. A lack of stamina is a
recipe for burnout and overload."

9. You can't explain the steps of shoe
tying.
Tying a shoe is complicated - and so is running a business, says
Steenerson. Entrepreneurs need to be able to delegate tasks and
to direct others. This means you need the ability to take a task
and break it down into easy, actionable steps for implementation.

"Big ideas are a dime a dozen," he says. "Knowing how to
implement them is the game changer."

10. You're a problem passer.
As an entrepreneur, the buck stops with you. You must be willing
to upset the apple cart and make decisions

"Sometimes your customers will be unhappy with your decisions and
you've got to be comfortable with that if it's in the best
interest of your company," says Steenerson.

You must also be able to resolve problems. "Understand that if
you're unwilling to handle something immediately, it will not go
away," he says. "It will grow bigger."